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ghostofthemost141 · 4 months

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Serene

Chapter 6

Ch.1. Ch.2. Ch.3. Ch.4. Ch.5.

Pairing: Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish xF!Reader

Word Count: 2,334

About: You were on vacation to the beach and you think you're about to die when you're caught in a riptide until an unlikely hero, your now boyfriend, comes to your rescue. Precisely a Scottish man that bores a tail. And now, the secret is out. Kind of.

!Warnings!: Details of Past SA and Abuse

Italics means Third Person POV

Notes: Some more relationship building between you and Johnny. Hope y'all enjoy.

Taglist: @darling006

The intense silence only made you more and more nauseous the longer it remained. Your Uncle Ale stood there, in visible shock at what he just saw.

“W-What is this?” Ale asked, still in disbelief.

“I'm sorry, Ale.” I softly mumbled, feeling so much guilt and I just knew he was disappointed in me.

Alejandro remained in silence with his mouth agape open. He wasn't necessarily mad but he was quite shocked and surprised to find a guy who he has never met sucking on his niece's face.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you had a boyfriend?” Ale asked me.

“I just..I was afraid of how you would react.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Remember Craig?”

Alejandro remembers him quite well. Craig was your first love and boyfriend. Upon first meeting him, Ale was sketched out by Craig. There was just something about him that didn't sit right with Ale. He could never place the feeling until you came home crying one night. You had planned to stay the night at Craig’s place and he didn't expect you home so when you came home late, he immediately came to your aid. Craig had forced himself onto you after you told him ‘no’ and ‘that you weren't ready.’ That didn't stop Craig unfortunately. You told Ale what had happened and it took everything in Ale to not go to his house and kill him. Your Uncle was tough and knew how to really hurt someone on account he used to be a Colonel. He didn't do that because he realized that you were more important to him. You needed him. He still got Craig taken care of, oddly enough to haven't seen him since he did that to you which was about two years ago, but you never questioned it. You were just happy he was out of your life. That odd feeling he had in his gut about Craig turned out to be real. But upon looking at this guy, who was sucking on niece’s face, he didn't get that feeling at all. Sure he had piercing blue eyes, but he didn't feel that same feeling he had about Craig.

“Estrella, Craig was a horrible man. You know I would support you in whatever you do.” Ale reassured me.

I still couldn't help but feel some guilt in my gut. I knew I should've told Alejandro about Johnny. I felt Johnny rub my back in comfort.

“I'm Johnny.” Johnny introduced himself to Ale, sticking his hand out for a handshake.

Ale willingly shook Johnny’s hand.

Little did you know that Ale was appreciative of shaking his head, already indicating that he not only cared about you, but also your family and close friends. Craig never did that.

“It's nice to meet you, Johnny.”

Ale then turned to you, walking up to you and bending down to your level.

“Cariña, I am not mad at you. Yes I wish you would've told me before I caught y’all sucking on each other’s faces.” Ale chuckled as he said that, making Johnny and I giggle, “But I can already tell he's a way better man than Craig ever was.”

“I know Uncle Ale. Still I'm sorry.” I apologized.

“It's okay, Dove.” Ale patted my leg in reassurance.

Alejandro stood up and faced Johnny.

“This young lady here, my estrella, my niece, she is my whole world, got it?” Ale half jokingly, half seriously told Johnny.

“Sí, señor. La protegeré y cuidaré.[Yes sir. I will protect and care for her].” Johnny spoke.

Ale’s eyes went wide, like comically wide, as Johnny spoke perfect Spanish.

“Ah, tu novio sabe español, Dove.[Ah, your boyfriend knows Spanish, Dove]” Ale said with a smirk.

“Sí, señor.” Johnny said.

I could tell Johnny was doing this to make a good impression on my Uncle and probably to make up for the fact that Ale caught us making out.

“You kids better behave yourselves, está bien?”

“Yes sir.” Johnny and I said in unison.

“We might as well have dinner together then.” Ale announced.

“Do you want me to help with that Mr?” Johnny paused, not recalling being told his last name.

“It’s Vargas. But you can call me Alejandro, hermano.” Ale told him.

That told you everything you needed to know. Your uncle already likes Johnny, but he was mostly relieved that you found someone that wasn’t like Craig. And he is happy that you are finding ways to cope with what happened.

“Thank you, but you kids go out and do whatever. Just be back by seven pm, okay?” Alejandro told us.

“Got it.”

“Yes, sir.” Johnny followed with.

With that, Alejandro smiled at both of y’all and left your room, leaving the two of you in there.

“Holy fuck, I thought that was going to be much much worse.” I whispered to Johnny so Ale wouldn’t hear.

Johnny approached you and held you in his arms, squeezing you tightly.

“I thought he was gonna focking kill meh. Those daggers.” Johnny mumbled, trying to refrain from laughing.

“Oh yeah, he’s got that Papa Bear stare.” I agreed, making both of us giggle.

Johnny then suddenly leaned in and kissed my lips. I kissed back, as if I was hungry for him. I was hungry for that feeling we were feeling just moments ago. It’s something I have never felt before with a man. Johnny pulled away but remained close, his bright blue eyes staring into mine, sending chills down my spine.

“You’re so bloody fucking pretty, Dove.”

Oh Lord have mercy, what was this that I was feeling? Johnny then dragged a finger down my cheek, slowly.

“So pretty.”

“My uncle is here, Johnny.” I remind him.

“I know.” Johnny smirked, making me chuckle.

“I do really want to get to know you though.” Johnny said, giving me a genuine smile.

“Where do you wanna go?”

“I know a spot.” Johnny said.

“So you’re telling me you have been to Lousianna before?”

“Once or twice.” Johnny replied as we sat down at the park bench.

The sun was slowly going down, slowly painting the skies a beautiful orange and yellow color. Johnny sat to the left of you, letting you sit as close as you wanted to him in which you were shoulder to shoulder.

“I don’t think I have ever been to this park actually.” I mention.

“Well I am honored to have taken you to it for the first time.” Johnny mentioned, pecking my temple.

His lips were so soft. They were like heaven.

Silence was met between the two of y’all, but it was a good silence and not an awkward nor bad one. You felt Johnny’s hand graze your thigh, as if he was nonverbally asking for permission. You trusted Johnny so you pushed your leg up against his. Johnny smiled at you as he placed his hand on your thigh but kept it still in place and never moving down. Instead he kept his hand still and rubbed circles onto your skin with his thumb.

“So tell me,” Johnny started, “who are you?”

“I am Dove Vargas, niece to an ex military colonel officer who lives with said uncle because my parents died in a very bad accident years ago who is also very traumatized by men other than my uncle and you.” I bluntly but briefly told Johnny.

“That’s a lot.” Johnny jokes.

“Yeah.”

You blush, feeling Johnny stare at you. It made you feel flustered, but in a good way. You liked feeling like you were important to someone other than your family.

“I have always been wary of other men besides my Uncle. And it was cause of Craig but I know that you, Johnny, wouldn't do that to me.” I say.

“Never. I never would, Dove.” Johnny firmly said, just enough to know he meant it.

“I know, hence why I trust you.”

“I trust you too, lass. I know you wouldn’t tell anyone about me secret.”

Johnny felt reassured knowing he could trust you with his big secret that he was in fact half mermaid. Other women have reeked in disgust with Johnny and told all their friends about him. Even though no one believed them, he still felt hurt that they went and told on him basically. But you? He knew you wouldn’t say a damn word to anyone. You leaned onto Johnny’s shoulder, feeling how soft and comfy his broad shoulder was. Johnny smiled like a little kid, seeing you be comfortable on him. It warmed his heart.

“Craig is why I am so afraid of what my professor will do.” I mumbled, not caring if Johnny heard me or not.

Luckily for you, Johnny has super hearing, needed for the deep, deep ocean he swims in but it still works on land. Johnny then wrapped his arm around you, bringing you even closer to comfort you.

“Aye, I understand, Dove. Honestly, you’re the first woman I have ever let meself get close with in a long time.” Johnny mentioned.

You crane your neck to look up at him.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

Johnny gently ran his fingers through your hair, trying to figure out the words on what to say. Johnny felt like he could trust you with this information.

“The last lass I was seeing, I had warned ‘er about how I looked. And when it came to the hanky panky, she saw my, you know, and well she grew disgusted. She was the last lass I trusted with me secret and despite knowing what I was, she just grew disgusted and then started laughing at me. Laughin’ at me for how gross I looked! I can’t help it ya know?” Johnny explained with frustration in his tone.

I held Johnny as he confessed to me what happened. I swear to God I will find out where this bitch lives.

Little did you know, Johnny felt the same way about Craig.

“I am so sorry, Johnny.” I apologized.

“It ain’t your bloody fault, hen. It’s just..even after all of that, all of that trust built and she tore it down within a second of seeing me skin for the first time. That ain’t even the worst part about it.”

I could feel the blood boiling in my blood as he said that. I rose up and stood up straight to face Johnny.

“What did she do to you, Johnny?” I ask.

“After she got done laughin’ at me, she stuck her fingers into my gills to ‘feel them’ and well it focking hurt! It’s like someone stubbing your organs you know? And when I groaned in pain, she just kept doin’ it and laughin’ at me. Like me being in pain was funny to ‘er.”

You held Johnny tightly, hearing his assault. It shouldn’t have happened, regardless of whether he was human or not.

“I am so sorry Johnny.” I apologized, holding him tightly.

“Eh, it’s okay, Dove. I’m okay. Now that I have you.” Johnny smiled as he said this, making my heart race.

You smile as Johnny leans down to kiss your head.

“Yeah um,” I hesitated, trying to collect the words to say, “it’s kind of what happened with Craig.”

Johnny turns to you, giving you his full undivided attention.

“I wasn’t..ready to do the deed. But he was very well ready. And well he invited me to go over to his place and stay the night. Sounded innocent enough, so I went. Well, I ended up banging on the door to my uncle’s place at like three in the morning cause I managed to drive back home in hysterics without wrecking.” I explained, feeling Johnny’s comfort grow more and more.

“What did he do to you, Dove?”

You could hear a sense of anger but also protectiveness in his tone. Like he was ready to pounce but not on you.

“He..forced himself in me. I fought, kicked, scratched, bit, until he finally let me go and I managed to grab my clothes, scramble to my car and I drove home naked. I only managed to get my clothes on until I parked at my uncle’s place. I put my clothes on, got in and told him what happened. He wanted to send his former second in command to ‘teach him a lesson’ a.k.a the person who took over his position in the military.” I explain some more.

“Dove..I am so sorry. I swear if I ever see him-”

“You won’t have to worry about that, trust me. Rudy, Ale’s former second in command, just threatened him and he was gone in a flash. All it took was a verbal threat, how about that?” I half joked.

Johnny rubbed your back in comfort, feeling all that you were feeling. It was how he felt when his assault happened.

“I am here for you, Dove. No matter what, I will always be here.” Johnny told me.

I turned to find him leaning in close to me.

“I know. And I will always be there for you too, Johnny.”

You closed the gap first, placing your lips onto Johnny’s, feeling your slightly chapped lips onto his impeccable soft ones. That same feeling came back again. The same warm, craving feeling you get with Johnny. You wanted him. You wanted him so damn badly.

“Johnny..”

You moaning his name went straight to his core. He could feel the same warm, craving feeling you were feeling. You could feel Johnny graze his tongue over your lips and you opened your mouth, letting him have access to you. Johnny’s tongue explored your mouth as your hands landed on his shoulders and his hands landed on your hips, pulling you closer to him. This was everything you wanted in life, to be free from Craig’s demise, to be your own person again, to be free from his being, to be free from-

“Now what do we have here?”

TO BE CONTINUED…

#cod #callofduty #call of duty #cod modern warfare #ghostofthemost141 #cod x reader #modern warfare x reader #johnny soap mactavish #simon ghost riley #alejandro vargas #soap x reader #john soap mactavish x reader #john mactavish #john soap mctavish x reader #john soap mactavish #cod soap #cod soap x reader #serene fic

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randomfoggytiger · 10 months

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I was tagged by @welsharcher-- thank you! :DDDD

Three Ships: MSR... and, more broadly, Jane Austen heroines w/ their heroes. Um... oh, wait! I was obsessed with Marion/Marian and Robin Hood from the BBC series (2006?)-- made crackfic comics (read: pencil doodles) about them in my teens, so that counts. ;)))

First Ship: It was either Han and Leia (though I was a really little kid who saw their relationship as already married anyway) or me and Frodo. Take your pick.

(Sidenote: @welsharcher, how do you and I live the same life? I started fandom thingamajigs with Youtube edits, too. o.o I still watch Barbie edits by earthtocailin and I'm not ashamed.)

Last Song: something sung by Dolly Parton probably (acapella Parton is *chef's kiss*)

Last Movie: Return to Me

Currently Reading: Asians in America (that's stalled); God in Faith (a comparisons-philosophy book-- that's also stalled); The Reservoir (again, stalled); and probably? others (all stalled until I hit... da mood.)

(Another sidenote: Jotting down reading notes from your previous poster, my Kerm mutual.)

Currently Watching: The X-Files, always.

Currently Writing: UMMMMMMM I have a Scully Family In-Depth to work on (me conscience bothers me) but I'm... getting there.

tagging: @dd-is-my-guiltypleasure, @suitablyaggrieved, @baronessblixen, @tiredpeterparker, @scullys-scalpel, @cyb3rpeach, @perpetually-weirdening, @two-microscopes, @teenie-xf, @annablume/@mondfuchs, @pianogirlxf, @demon-fetal-harvest, @tossingmyglossymane, @herdingcats12, @adrianne68, @amplifyme, @samucabd, @scullyphile, @frogsmulder, @mindibindi, @cecilysass, @thatfragilecapricorn30, @dreamingofscully, and everyone else who sees this. A girl can only tag so much~.

#tagged #Tumblr #these were so fun~#finally got around to typing this up #welsharcher

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joshingtonbear · 1 year

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Redesigning Rogue for Comics XF.

Grown-up X-Men Evolution goth Rogue

#rogue #x-men #fanart #redesign #superheroes #superhero redesign #x-men redesign

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sigritandtheelves · 1 year

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i keep hearing that the xf season 10-11 comics are good, but if mulder and scully don't kiss, i'm just gonna read fanfic instead. anyone read them?

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usafphantom2 · 1 year

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flickr

Lockheed XF-90A 46-0687 by Wing attack Plan R Via Flickr: The Lockheed XF-90 was built in response to a United States Air Force requirement for a long-range penetration fighter and bomber escort. The same requirement produced the McDonnell XF-88 Voodoo. Lockheed received a contract for two prototype XP-90s (redesignated XF-90 in 1948). The design was developed by Willis Hawkins and the Skunk Works team under Kelly Johnson. Two prototypes were built (s/n 46-687 and -688). Developmental and political difficulties delayed the first flight until 3 June 1949, with Chief Test Pilot Tony LeVier at the controls. Performance of the design was considered inadequate due to being underpowered, and the XF-90 never entered production. Design and development: In response to a 1945 Army request for an advanced jet fighter, Lockheed proposed a jet powered initially by a Lockheed L-1000 axial flow turbojet, and then the General Electric J35. Further design refinements included using two Westinghouse J34 engines with afterburners. After data showed that a delta planform would not be suitable, the Lockheed Model 90 was built in 1947 as a mock-up. The final design embodied much of the experience and shared the intake and low-wing layout of the previous P-80 Shooting Star, but with 35° sweptback wings, a sharply-pointed nose, and two Westinghouse J34-WE-11 axial-flow turbojet engines, providing a total thrust of 6,200 lbf (27.6 kN), mounted side-by-side in the rear fuselage and fed by side-mounted air intakes. The wings had leading edge slats, Fowler flaps, and ailerons on the trailing edge. The pressurized cockpit was fitted with an ejection seat and a bubble canopy. Proposed armament was six 20 mm (.79 in) cannons. The internal fuel was supplemented by wingtip-mounted tanks, bringing total fuel capacity to 1,665 gal (6,308 l). The use of 75ST aluminum rather than the then-standard 24ST aluminum alloy, along with heavy forgings and machined parts, resulted in an extremely well-constructed and sturdy airframe. However, these innovations also resulted in an aircraft with an empty weight more than 50 percent heavier than its competitors. The first XF-90 used non-afterburning J34s, but these lacked the thrust for takeoff as rocket-assisted RATO were required for most of the first flights unless it carried a very low fuel load. The second (XF-90A) had afterburners installed which had been tested on an F-80 testbed. Even so, the aircraft remained underpowered. Testing and evaluation: The XF-90 was the first USAF jet with an afterburner and the first Lockheed jet to fly supersonic, albeit in a dive. It also incorporated an unusual vertical stabilizer that could be moved fore and aft for horizontal stabilizer adjustment. Partly because Lockheed's design proved underpowered, it placed second to McDonnell's XF-88 Voodoo which won the production contract in September 1950, before the penetration fighter project was abandoned altogether. Upon Lockheed losing the production contract, the two prototypes were retired to other testing roles. The first aircraft (46-687) was shipped to the NACA Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio in 1953 for structural tests. It was no longer flyable, and its extremely strong airframe was tested to destruction. The other (46-688) survived three atomic blasts at Frenchman Flat within the Nevada Test Site in 1952. Notable appearances in media: The XF-90 lived on as the aircraft flown through the 1950s by the popular Blackhawks Squadron in the comic book series of the same name, first published by Quality Comics and later by DC Comics. The Blackhawks flew fictional "B" and "C" models, single engine production variants of the twin-engine XF-90. Aircraft disposition: 46-0687 – tested to destruction at NACA lab in Cleveland, Ohio. 46-0688 – in storage and awaiting restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. In 2003, the heavily damaged hulk was recovered from the Nevada test site and moved there. It is currently undergoing minor restoration in one of the Museum's restoration facility hangars. Its wings have been removed, and its nose is mangled from the nuclear blasts. During the decontamination process, all the rivets had to be removed to remove radioactive sand. At present, the museum plans to display the XF-90 in its damaged, mostly unrestored condition, to demonstrate the effects of nuclear weaponry. (wiki)

#XF-90A #46-0687 #Experimental #Lockheed #flickr

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caelestiacorpora · 2 years

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@wxrld-xf-cxts asked:

* you’re my best friend." Liam to Xerxes

The white haired male was mid chew of a delightful pastry when the younger started speaking to him. Red eye locked onto the other’s form, mouth partially open as he stared at Liam. “...” Break would remain in this comical pose for a few moments later, enough to make the other uncomfortable before— promptly shoving the rest of his sweets into his mouth.

Emily would chatter mockingly on his shoulder. “What an idiot! Idiot!”

This would result in her having a small poke to the nose as Break grinned.

“Now, now Emily. That’s not very nice! You’ll hurt poor Liam’s heart with the truth!” Of course both parties would know that was just his poking fun. Out of everyone, Liam and Sharon was his dear friends. Though the old man wouldn’t admit that any time soon.

#「 Xerxes Break 」#IC | Written For The Play #Answered Asks | A Voice That Breaches Space #wxrldofcxts

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karenxmenfan · 1 year

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Redesigning Pixie https://www.comicsxf.com/2022/10/27/redesigning-pixie/

#pixie #x-men #megan gwynn #academy x #five lights #costume redesign #comics xf #cxf

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singeart · 1 year

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@janini-panini thought of the cutest idea, unfortunately I had to make it funny <3

#x files #the x files #txf #xf #fox mulder #dana scully #walter skinner #doodles #Skinner: Agent Mulder what are you wearing?#Mulder:Did you not get the email sir? It's a new initiative for the office- Casual Mondays #i think theyd try so hard but ultimately give each other rlly bad haircuts lmao #disasters <3 #the only thing that makes scully distinguished is her medical degree #its a thin line #comic

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pickleslice · 1 year

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what if i killed myself in front of fabian nicieza changing the trajectory of his life forever

#thank u xf 34 i needed that #comic lb

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king-of-better · 6 months

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Drama CD: Side GaoGaiGar

Number.EX: Again -SAIKAI-

This Drama CD was released with the first volume of GaoGaiGar Vs Betterman: The Comic. Aside from the drama tracks, it includes an alternate OP, Yushao Tanjou! Fable Ver.

2007: To G-Island City

Mamoru recalls being sent back by ES Missile, and finally reunites with Hana, and learns of his Kaidou reassured her earlier. He pledges to live with her as a human.

2010: GGG Orbit Base

Yamajii makes some reports, as Mamoru recalls how they all joined Juvenile GGG and agreed to participate in Project Z to rescue everyone. But then the Invisible Burst happened, putting Project Z on indefinite hold. Lamia recalls his battles and loss of Seeme, as Mamoru recalls their encounter, and warning of the Conqueror King and it making all into light. Because of the Invisible Burst, even though GaiGaiGo successfully formed, they couldn't go to rescue everyone, but they signed up to GGG under Akamatsu all the same.

2014: Kamome 1st High School - Class after school

Mamoru is surprised to learn Hana has decided not to take her college entry exams, she shows him she has passed the GGG enlistment exams, and intends to join GGG after graduating. As Mikoto was for Gai, she wants to be for him and Kaidou, Mamoru a little jealous she's also supporting him. Hana notes he and Ikumi call eachother by their given names now, and they decide to try dropping the honorifics with eachother, but are embarrassed up until Hinoki suddenly contacts Mamoru via complicated systems, tears the younger pair, and informs them of a Bionet Robo appearing in North America, and so Shoryu will pick him up to rendezvous with Wadatsumi en route, they wind up sticking to honorifics.

2016: Bionet HQ

Project Z is finally about ready to start, Mamoru really wishing to see his brother figure, the Global Wall is about ready to launch and then Project Z will go. GGG hold a briefing on the plan to attack GGG HQ, Akamatsu joking with Tsuguo. The mission proceeds, Mamoru finding Alouette and is attacked by a Beastman, and saved by Ikumi. Mamoru is nonplussed by Alouette, who is soon welcomed aboard Orbit Base by Akamatsu.

2016: At Jupiter

Project Z has reached Jupiter, only to witness the Conqueror King, in the form of Genesic, converting the planet into a black hole. Lamia makes Limpid Channel contact to confirm Mamoru's suspicion what he sees is not in fact Genesic. GaoGaiGo deploys, while Lamia leads his fellow Somnium into battle, forming Bettermen, but they can't stop the home forming even as Sakura warns it is coming.

The voice of Shishioh Gai emerges over the radio, Alouette speaking to him, expressing joy to hear from him. Akamatsu launches XF-111 at her prompting, and Gai emerges aboard, GaoFar forms to support GaoGaiGo, surprised by Mamoru's voice, but they need to focus on Triple Zero, Lamia concurring. Alouette initiates Final Fusion for GaoFighGar. Lamia observes the power below, and joins the kings of Braves on fighting their corrupted partner.

Mamoru, as Gutsy Global Guard Mobile Unit Captain, formally welcomes back Gutsy Galaxy Guard Captain Gai. Gainis shocked to learn it's been 9 years, as for him it's been days, but he lost track of the rest of GGG after they were consumed by Triple Zero. The promise to discuss all they can while journeying back, but their enemy now is not just the Conqueror King.

2017: South Australia Power Plant

Gai calls out Betterman Lamia, lying in wait for him to have their fated battle, who calls Evoluder Guy his natural enemy, Gai accepts his challenge.

#gaogaigar #gaogaigar vs betterman

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kurt-wagner-official · 9 months

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Post #75: Avengers issue 263 and Fantastic Four issue 286 and XF issue 1

I wanna credit the people who put in work that made it easier for me to do this readthrough, and with this issue I’m officially jumping ship with my online reading order. Up until now, I’ve mostly been using the one on Comic Book Herald, editing as I go along, but starting with the launch of X-Factor I’m switching to mainly follow the one on Crushing Krisis. This new reading order is a lot more comprehensive; it includes both stuff published later that takes place during this era and books like Captain Britain and Dazzler, which would be retroactively absorbed into the X-franchise but at the time were pretty independent. It also has a lot of ancillary crossovers and guest appearances. All this to say I’m not following it directly, but it’s very helpful, as was the CBH one. Anyway, to hype up the launch of X-Factor, the Marvel bullpen organized a crossover launch threading an issue of Avengers and one of Fantastic Four together into the big debut. This technically takes place sometime between the Trial of Magneto and the end of Secret Wars II, but these issues don’t tie into SWII so I think it flows better here. This Avengers issue is by one of the all-time great Avengers creative teams, Roger Stern and John Buscema. This is mostly a downtime issue dealing with ongoing plots in that book. The one I’m interested in is their recovery of a mysterious cocoon shooting energy bursts from the ocean by JFK Airport, which the audience learns contains Jean Grey. To be honest I’m not really sure why I read this whole issue, but it was good even though I have basically no context for the ongoing Avengers plotlines.

Fantastic Four at this point was written and penciled by John Byrne, and I believe Claremont edited some of the dialogue in this issue, so it meshes about as well as you could hope with the ongoing X-family stories. Anyway, at this point in the FF series the Baxter Building has been destroyed so they’re living at Avengers Mansion. Since the Avengers don’t currently have a science guy, Reed takes point on the cocoon investigation when he returns from space. As soon as he touches it out pops Jean in the dress she was wearing in Uncanny 100, who upon waking starts a telekinetic storm across the Mansion. She believes all the heroes are Lang Sentinels, and Captain America realizes she’s Marvel Girl of the X-Men. Interestingly, none of the heroes know that she was the Phoenix, instead saying Marvel Girl disappeared the night of Uncanny 98, which is also the last thing Jean remembers. Hank, who at this point hasn’t been an Avenger for a while, obviously knew the story, and we find out later that he fully recorded it in the Avengers files, but this means he never really discussed the incident with his team at the time. Jean wants to go see the X-Men, but Cap says it’s not a good idea because they’ve been teaming up with Max. It’s interesting to see it from the perspective of other non-X heroes. The Avengers have historically been terrible allies to the X-Men and to mutantkind, but sometimes they do have actual reasons, even though we the readers know that they’re not valid. Anyway, the FF take Jean to her house, where she interfaces with the newly repaired memory orb thing. It’s weird that there’s no mention of Rachel’s presence in the orb. She and the FF have a vision of the memories she’s missing; while she was piloting the shuttle back to Earth, the Phoenix Force came to visit. It offered to save the X-Men and put Jean in the cocoon to heal her from the radiation if in exchange it could take a little essence of Jean to turn into a physical form for itself. Jean accepted, and the Phoenix took her form, fully believing itself to be Jean. Jean, reeling from this info and the stories of Dark Phoenix, decides not to contact her family, but as the issue ends, Reed says there’s someone else they can call.

We open X-Factor issue 1 with a few pages of Bob Layton trying to undo all of Scott's development since the Dark Phoenix Saga. Under Layton's script, Scott only married Madelyne because she reminds him of Jean, who he's still in love with. Layton doesn't vilify Madelyne as much as you might think, but he does try to imply that she's annoying for expecting help with the baby and holding Scott back from the X-Men. We then jump to Warren, Hank, and Bobby. Until recently, the three of them were members of the New Defenders. Bob Layton pitched X-Factor right around the time they decided to cancel that series because of low sales, so rather than just have them leave the team, the final issue of New Defenders sees the death of the entire team except for those three. And to add insult to injury, the deaths are caused by the Beyonder in a Secret Wars II tie-in (will I never be free of that series?). I'm not a Defenders fan, but some people are and were, and that was a really disrespectful way to end a series that people loved. After that whole fiasco, the three of them are chilling at one of Warren's houses. Layton has a fine voice for all three characters. Hank and Bobby don't want to give up being superheroes, but after multiple teams falling apart Warren is ready to retire, so they all go their separate ways. Warren's retirement lasts for about 30 seconds of hanging out with his girlfriend Candy when he gets a call from Reed Richards and flies off to New York, where he's reunited with Jean. Despite having been over his feelings for her for years even before her "death," his crush is back. But he's more worried about what'll happen when she and Scott reunite and what that'll do to both of them and to Madelyne. When he does call Scott, he doesn't tell Madelyne what happened, just that he's leaving for New York. Madelyne tells him if he leaves not to come back, but off he goes to further the plot. When he gets to New York, Jean assumes their relationship is back on track, but he just silently sobs in her arms. Warren gives him the full story. Because this is also for the benefit of new readers, he starts with the entire Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Saga, which Scott interrupts multiple times to say he was there. I think this is a meta joke about exposition dump in 80s Marvel, and if so hats off to Layton because it's very funny. When Jean asks them what they've been up to, Scott doesn't say anything about Madelyne and Nathan, and Jean can't read his mind because since she woke up she has no telepathy and much stronger telekinesis. When they both tell her they've retired from heroics altogether, she's angry at their perceived abandonment of Xavier's dream and at their willingness to let Max in the X-Men. She flies off, and Warren goes after her while Scott has a breakdown. When he catches up, he tells her he has an idea on how they can still help mutants and the world. While all this was happening, a young navy sailor named Rusty Collins returns to port and has his mutant powers activate for the first time, creating a bunch of uncontrollable fire that badly burns a woman and leads to his arrest. A couple weeks later, we pick back up on Hank, who despite his talent and resume has been rejected from every university position he's interviewed for for being a mutant. Bobby's landed a steady job as an accountant, but he's bored with it. When they're contacted by Warren for a new opportunity, they both jump on it, and when he reintroduces them to Jean, they're overcome with joy. Warren sends Hank and Bobby to go find Scott and recruit him for their new team, and they find him at the pier where Jean crashed. He tries to push them away, but they get through to him and he confesses how confused he is. He's apparently still in love with Jean, but doesn't know how to tell her about Madelyne. He's also worried about Madelyne, but expresses no interest in going back to her. Absolutely no mention is made of his infant son. I hate all of that, but I do like the way Scott's oldest friends draw him out of his shell. Layton is good at selling the history between them and the trust that comes with it. When they return, Warren introduces them to his business partner, Cameron Hodge, who finally introduces them to the project they've all been recruited for: X-Factor. Publicly, they'll be human scientists who people can call to report mutant activity. They'll take the mutant into custody and then secretly protect them and train them to use their powers. Their first assignment comes soon when Rusty's commanding officer tries to shoot him in his cell and he freaks out and burns down the building and runs off. To cover his tracks, the CO calls X-Factor in the hopes that they'll take him off the board before the military finds him and he reveals what the CO did. The find him in the desert and, in their superhero outfits, drive off the military people chasing him. They then knock him out and sneakily change into their X-Factor uniforms and take him home with them. Now I get a chance to talk about one of my favorite bits of Marvel trivia: asbestos. Before they discover it caused cancer, it was shockingly common for asbestos to be treated like some superpowered antifire substance in Marvel. The Human Torch had asbestos clothes and furniture and fought the terrifying Asbestos Man, who wore asbestos armor. Here they put the unconscious Rusty in an asbestos bag for transport. They kinda just gloss over the jurisdiction issues with a vague comment from the CO. The issue ends with the team celebrating their reunion and success with Rusty before cutting to a silent panel of Madelyne, alone in Alaska watching an X-Factor ad on TV.

The cover of X-Factor issue 1 says "BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT" and if I ever find the guy that demanded this he needs to watch his back. I actually do love this series later on, but by the time this issue is over the book has retconned all the emotional beats out of the Dark Phoenix Saga and completely undone all of Scott's character development since then. A lot of people just hate the idea of Jean being resurrected in the first place, but honestly I'm okay with the idea of bringing her back. I love the character and a lot of the stories that have only been possible due to her return. But this might have been the worst way to do it. And even if Scott was still in love with Jean, and until this issue it was established that he wasn't, walking out on his family is so shitty and out of character. Pretty much every X-Men fan I've interacted with agrees it was terrible, but a lot of them focus on the abandonment of Madelyne and gloss over how he abandoned his infant son. As shitty as the former is, the latter is so much worse, and that part isn't even acknowledged in this issue, maybe because Layton knows there's no way to possibly justify it. After all Scott has been through with losing his parents, both his bio ones and now Xavier, the idea that he'd just walk out on a child is horrible writing. Obviously there are people with parental issues who walk out on their families, but Scott didn't walk out because he was scared of commitment or being a father or anything like that. He just prioritized Jean over his wife and child, and that's not at all in line with how his character arc has led to here. It's also just not a person who you would want to read a comic about. Louise Simonson will take over writing this book in a few issues and almost immediately start doing damage control to redeem Scott, but that can't erase the events of this issue.

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